The road has played a pretty big role in shaping Ann Vriend's fifth record Love and Other Messes. Not only were many of the album's songs written while she was touring, but when she was ready to record, Vriend had full rehearsals with her bandmates and then took the show on the road. While to some musicians that might seem a little backwards, for her it was the perfect chance to work out the kinks and let the songs soak up some of the spontaneity and inspiration that comes from playing live. "It saves time and money in the long run because you learn the songs intuitively," says the Edmonton-based singer-songwriter. Love and Other Messes also marks the first time Vriend's tried-on producer's shoes. Encapsulating her vast array of influences with a richly emotive Americana style, she says the album captured exactly what she had in mind. "Everybody that I've talked to, they all unanimously say 'This one sounds like you Ann'."
Fri May 27, The Company House, 2202 Gottingen Street, 7:30pm, $10